RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES OF
CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

NAMI-Yolo does not necessarily
endorse the organizations and groups listed below. This information is
offered as a convenience for the local mental health community. .

NAMI Child and Adolescent Center
NAMI’s Child & Adolescent Action Center focuses on mental health
systems’ reform that promises to improve the lives of children and
adolescents with mental illnesses and their families. This is a powerful
online resource providing multiple ways to help your child, including:

Ask the Doctor Video Clips
Dr. Ken Duckworth, NAMI’s Medical Director, answers a few of the most
commonly asked questions by parents and other caregivers of children
and adolescents with mental illness.

The Balanced Mind
FoundationThe Balanced Mind Foundation guides families raising children with
mood disorders to the answers, support and stability they seek.
Founded in 1999 as the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation by
parents seeking answers and treatment for their children, they founded
an online community, launched a pioneering website, and enlisted the
guidance of leading psychiatric researchers and clinicians.A
valuable resource an line of support for families seeking information
and help for their child.

Board member Garen Staglin, owner of Staglin Family Vineyard in Napa
Valley, and the father of a son who was diagnosed with schizophrenia
while attending Dartmouth College offers the following guidelines for
parents:

• Unconditional love
• Compliance is mandatory, because without medications, our children
won’t get well
• Patience—there is no magic pill
• No guilt or blame—nobody did anything wrong
• Take care of yourself
• Don’t be satisfied with ok. Our children deserve full, rich lives.
• Provide structure
• Encourage social involvement, don’t allow isolation
• Have hope! Research is promising and cures are possible.

Effective Child
Therapy
Offers as a completely free service based on Evidence Based Practices to
families and mental health professionals to help ensure that children
and adolescents benefit from the most up-to-date information about
mental health psychosocial interventions.